I didn’t know it was a competition
Posted: July 22nd, 2009 | Author: James Duncan | Tags: Criticism, Numbers | 9 Comments »Brad Cooper reports from Perry Noble’s recent staff pep talk, including this advice on how to respond to critics:
On Critics:
“Scoreboard”
And here I was thinking we were all on the same team.
I really don’t know if Noble is contradicting or following his own advice from an earlier post called Thoughts on Unity:
We don’t have time to debate methods. I am not getting caught up in it–nor will I allow the staff to go there. We realize who our competition is with…and it’s not with various websites or the church across town…it’s with the kingdom of darkness…and every single piece of artillery we have will always be pointed in that direction…and NOT at people on our own team.
UPDATE: Because there has apparently been a little confusion about what Noble meant, let me try to explain.
“Scoreboard” is used in sporting contests as a retort from a player or supporter of a winning team towards a player or supporter of a losing team who is complaining about the winning team. Instead of addressing the complaint, the winning player or supporter merely points to the scoreboard and reminds the opponent that he or she is losing. Outside of a contest where one side is clearly in the lead, Noble’s “argument” makes no sense.
The question is, what are the teams, which is the point of my uncertainty in the third paragraph. The most charitable interpretation is that he’s comparing churches. His church has more people and converts than the critics’ churches, so they need to shut up. However, that seems to contradict his Unity advice in showing that he is actually competing with other local churches.
A second interpretation, which seems more in line with what else he’s been saying lately, is that his critics represent the kingdom of darkness. In that case, his scoreboard retort is consistent with his promise to keep all his artillery pointed at the devil and his friends.
Similar Posts:
- Measuring Effectiveness
- How to deal with critics? Destroy them.
- Question me, Oppose God
- Noble’s Defense of Multi-site Churches
- Criticize Me
From being around this scene myself, I can tell you that the whole scene is full of competition… even among those involved. It seems that if they can help one another, they can lay their differences aside, but if you go against one of their establishments, you then are in error and need to be competed against. Basically, it’s scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours unless I find a better scratcher then I’ll set you aside and follow my own agenda. It doesn’t matter if it’s truth. It just matters what is “better” in terms of church growth. It’s sad.
I just happened upon this blog recently, James, and I love it. I appreciate the logical approach you take to their arguments. It’s very edifying. Stand strong, brother.
- Lane
Scoreboard? What does that even mean? I’m a critic , so they are telling me scoreboard? Honestly, I can’t even imagine what that is supposed to mean.
Wow, here we go again with you bashers. “Scoreboard” is in reference to Heaven versus Hell, not against other churches, thats the MAIN concern here. The reason he says critics is because their main concern is Jesus, that’s their only sole focus. You guys on here bash and criticize instead of creating a blog that spreads the gospel and attempts to reach more people for the cause of Christ. Maybe if you focused more on reaching people instead of bashing people you would understand! He’s not bashing churches or people that do things right…BTW that is preaching Jesus and getting people saved. I dont agree with every word that comes out of his mouth but Perry is right about ALOT of things in the church and if you cant see that the church is in turmoile then you need a refresher course.
Next…this was a link on Perry’s blog, i suggest you read it! Dont worry it’s not by him…WOW
http://www.serioustimes.com/blog.asp?id=93
Actually, according to Cooper who was apparently there, scoreboard is in reference to critics.
Anthony,
JDuncan is right…Noble is a bit ambiguous here. Though you have to admit, he’s been talking an awful lot about critics lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if his “scoreboard” wasn’t his way of saying, “Look at our numbers. Now, look at yours.” It could go either way.
Also, the “How many people have you saved today, Duncan” argument doesn’t really work anymore. Wait, it never worked. Salvation is the decision and work of the Holy Spirit alone, not of any human endeavors.
Why all the talk about critics lately from NewSpring and crew? Could it be more and more people are starting to question Perry Noble and Brad “BAMF” Cooper?
But then again, Perry Noble and Brad Cooper fully understand their scoreboard is ZERO when we put Col 3:8 vs. their foul mouths. Round 1 goes to the Word of God in Col 3:8 and a goose egg goes to Noble and Cooper! Let’s make round two(UFC & Boxing terms…relevant) and see what happens!
So as a defense, the only option is to ignore critics but yet talk about critics. Odd indeed!
Anthony,
You wrote: “He’s not bashing churches” Perhaps in this particular instance he’s not. But, the recent past doesn’t grant him the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe you’re new to NS or to PN’s teaching. Either that, or you’ve missed his sermons for all of 2009. Regardless of topic or passage or Sunday, this is one of the main themes of PNoble’s teaching/preaching. He continually depicts other churches as “doing church” wrong, while NS does it right. I’d say that bashing other churches is the one constant in his teaching.
At his blog, http://www.bradcooper.us/?p=1453
Bcoop quotes Perry Noble as saying,“Jesus isn’t going to hold you accountable for what you did, but what He’s asked you to do.”
Catchy sounding phrase to undiscerning ears, maybe, but not biblical.
What JESUS says is, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Anthony,
I would second TommyF’s remarks to you about PN’s recent bent towards bashing other churches. His references to steeple people during his 2008 christmas service did it for me. My family and I decided then we would not be a part of this trash talk. What is most troubling is why PN appears to think it is necessary to the NS bottom line, whatever that may be.